Roads trump water projects in Texas Lyceum poll

Updated 6:25 am, Wednesday, October 2, 2013

AUSTIN– Nearly half of Texans polled about a Nov. 5 ballot proposition to spend $2 billion from the state's rainy day fund for water infrastructure projects support the measure but appear more willing to shell out cash to fix roads and bridges.

That's one of the take-aways from a wide-ranging poll released Tuesday from the Texas Lyceum, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that conducts public forums and polls on issues affecting Texas.

The survey of 1,000 Texans, including 800 registered voters, respectively pegged the economy and Syria as top issues facing the country, while education and immigration ranked as the most important state issues.

Among registered voters, there was a 44 percent to 42 percent margin in favor of the water proposal. The proposal fared better when pollsters narrowed the water question to “likely voters” who are “extremely interested” in politics — pushing 49 percent in favor, compared to 36 percent opposed.

On transportation issues, however, 64 percent of respondents said they are willing to pay more in taxes or fees to repair and improve roads, highways and bridges. The poll also found 57 percent expressed a willingness to pay new fees and taxes to get lanes added to highways and roads.

“It's plausible that roads and bridges are a little more tangible, a little more apparent,” said University of Texas ProfessorDaron Shaw, who conducted the poll on behalf of the Texas Lyceum. “Whereas water infrastructure ... if you can turn on the tap, that's most people's exposure to water issues in the state of Texas. So long as water is coming out, it seems to be more distant.”

drauf@express-news.net

More Information

Texas Lyceum Poll results

More results from the poll, conducted Sept. 6-20

Obamacare

64% of Democrats had a favorable opinion of Obamacare, as did 11% of Republicans.

49% prefer to keep Medicaid as is; 41% support expansion.

57% of those who are uninsured — 18% of the total poll sample — will likely sign up for health insurance exchanges.